Commercial Laundry Equipment

Commercial laundry equipment covers the machines and accessories venues use to wash and dry linen, uniforms, cloths and other textiles on a daily basis. That includes front load washing machines, tumble dryers, stacked washer-dryer combos, vended units and the carts or trolleys used to move loads around. These units are engineered for repeated heavy-use cycles rather than the light duty expected of a domestic appliance.

You'll find front load washers, electric and gas tumble dryers, stacked washer-dryer combos and vended coin-operated units. Smeg's NovaCare range brings steam-assisted washing and heat pump drying to smaller venues. Speed Queen covers the heavy end, including large-capacity tumble dryers suited to high-volume linen operations. Cambro and StellarChem round out the range with laundry transport and chemical solutions.

Gas dryers typically recover heat faster and can lower running costs where natural gas is already connected to your site. Electric models need no gas fitting and suit venues where a suitable power circuit is available. Speed Queen offers stacked combos in both fuel types, so the choice usually comes down to your existing utilities rather than performance. Talk to your facilities team before ordering.

Capacity is measured in kilograms of dry linen per cycle. A small cafe turning over a modest volume of aprons and tea towels sits at the lower end of the scale, while a hotel or aged-care facility processing bed linen daily needs a much larger drum. Speed Queen's range spans from around 10 kg stacked combos up to large-capacity tumble dryers. Count your daily linen weight before you buy, and allow headroom for busy periods.

Stacked units are designed to minimise floor space by placing the dryer directly above the washer. Most models require clearance at the rear for ventilation and at the front for the door swing. Measure your alcove height carefully — a stacked unit is taller than either machine alone. Check the product dimensions on the listing before you finalise your order, and confirm your floor can bear the combined weight of the loaded machines.

Yes. Commercial washing machines require a licensed plumber to connect hot and cold water supplies and a drain, and a licensed electrician for hardwired or high-amperage models. Gas dryers need a licensed gasfitter in addition. Installation requirements vary by state, so engage qualified tradespeople before delivery day. Chefs Depot ships the equipment; local installation is the venue's responsibility.

Clean the door seal and detergent drawer regularly to prevent mould and detergent build-up. Run a drum-clean cycle as recommended in the machine's manual. Check inlet filters periodically and clear any sediment. For gas dryers, have a technician inspect the burner and exhaust flue at regular intervals. Using the correct commercial detergent at the right dose — StellarChem products are stocked here — protects the drum and keeps cycles effective.

Commercial machines are designed for low-foam detergents formulated for high-volume use. Household detergents can over-suds and trigger error codes or damage seals over time. StellarChem laundry chemicals are stocked in the same Cleaning, Laundry and Hygiene category at Chefs Depot, so you can add detergent to the same order as your machine.

Yes. Speed Queen's vended range includes stacked electric and gas dryer-dryer units designed for self-service laundry settings. These models are built for high turnover with minimal staff intervention. They suit accommodation venues, gyms or any site where guests or staff operate the machines themselves. Check the individual listings for control and payment options.

Pricing varies widely across the range, from compact front load washers through to large-capacity tumble dryers. Smeg NovaCare models sit at the mid-range for smaller venues, while Speed Queen's heavy-duty units sit higher. Members save off RRP on every order placed through Chefs Depot. If you're outfitting a new venue or replacing ageing equipment, signing up for a member account before you buy is worth doing.